2009 Monaco GP: Reality Check

I have to admit, most of the time the circuits themselves don't make for great racing (overtaking) action, but that's not the point. They are meant to be spectacles—fantastic backdrops and cars just kissing the walls at the tricky corners. And if you want a F1 spectacle, what better place than glitzy Monte Carlo?

But enough intro mumbo jumbo. Here's my take on the Monaco GP weekend.

Drivers strutting it up on the catwalk. Plus 1. Only at Monaco, this always cracks me up.

Lewis losing it during Q1. Minus 1. Oh dear, practically ending his entire weekend at this one corner. His pace was looking pretty good too.

Both BMWs and Toyotas out in Q1. Minus 10. What?!

Kimi qualifies in the front row! Plus 1. I'm completely biased.

No debris during the first lap. Plus 1. Whoa, this is even more impressive here than the usual crashes at turn one.

Vettel forms a train, then shunts his car. Minus 1. I'm disappointed.

Piquet crashes, but it's not his fault! Plus 1. How often do I get to say that?

Jenson lapping Lewis. Priceless. Just goes to show how quickly fortunes change in the world of F1.

Heikki finds the final nail for the coffin for McLaren's weekend in a wall. Minus 2. The crystal encrusted helmets seem a bit silly now do they?

For two seconds, it looked like that Force India would get their first points. Plus 1. The way Alonso swerved, it was almost like he was thinking, WTF? Then we realised it was Sutil, not Fisichella.

Jenson wins! Five out of six. Plus 2. Can't find fault at all, not a single toe out of place the whole weekend. I will be very surprised if he does not win the WDC this year.

Rubens comes in second, again. Minus 1. He looked like he was about to cry after the race.

Ferrari third and fourth. Plus 1. Things are looking up, though if not for the slight delay during Kimi's second stop, it could have been even better.

Kimi's fat cap. Plus 2. I frankly never noticed it until this weekend, because so many people commented on it, but the cap is extra large and flat beaked. Hilarious.

I'm in a happy place. The race was a teensy bit boring, as expected, but enough action to keep me entertained throughout. And always good to see my favourite driver back on the podium with champagne.

Two weeks to Istanbul! Let's hope FOTA and FIA sort out all their nonsense before that.